Addressing a gathering of women in Kabul, the former prime minister said Islam emphasized on the protection of civilians. He prayed for the victims and wished the injured a speedy recovery.

No group has so far claimed responsibility for the bombing, which left nearly 90 people dead and more than 450 others wounded. But security officials blame the Haqqani network and the ISI for orchestrating the attack.

“Contemptible foreign agents, who neither believe in God nor know Islamic teachings, are behind Wednesday’s attack and other similar incidents,” Hekmatyar said in a statement from HIA.

“Islam orders the security of non-combatants while allowing fighting against the aggressors. It warns against aggression, as Allah doesn’t like aggressors,” the ex-jihadi leader added.

He called women the most exploited class in the country, deprived of all human and Islamic rights. He underlined the need for an end to war and making the country self-reliant.